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Vaccine Storage and Handling

Recommendations and Guidelines

At a Glance

Proper vaccine storage and handling practices play a very important role in protecting individuals and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases.Vaccine quality is the shared responsibility of everyone, from the time vaccine is manufactured until it is administered.

Resources on Proper Vaccine Storage and Handling

Keys to Storing and Handling Your Vaccine Supply(Apr 2018)
A video designed to decrease vaccine storage and handling errors and preserve the nation’s vaccine supply by demonstrating to immunization providers the recommended best practices for storage and handling of vaccines. (Video is a winner of the Winter/Spring 2014 Web Health Award).

These storage and handling fact sheets illustrate best practices for both refrigerated and frozen vaccines. Written in plain language, they include assessments to reinforce key points. While they are CDC-developed and branded fact sheets, each contains an area where you can insert your agency’s logo.

Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit(Jan 2019)
A comprehensive resource for health care providers on vaccine storage and handling recommendations and best practice strategies. The Toolkit includes guidance on managing and storing vaccine inventory, using and maintaining storage unit and temperature monitoring equipment, preparing for emergency situations, and training staff.

Additional Resources for Vaccine Storage and Handling

Note: Storage and handling information in previously published CDC documents, including the 13th Edition Pink Book, may be superseded by the materials listed in above section on this page. If inconsistencies are seen, follow newer guidelines in toolkit or more recently dated materials.